Amazon Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM): The Good, the Bad, and the Meh

Maria,

Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) is like doing your own laundry instead of sending it to the cleaners. Sure, you save on service fees, but you also have to deal with the mess yourself. So, is FBM the right choice for your Amazon business? Let’s break it down.

The Pros of FBM

  1. Control Freaks Rejoice
    When you’re the one shipping orders, you’re in full control—packaging, shipping carriers, delivery speed, all of it. No surprise fees, no random “lost in transit” drama.
  2. Cost-Friendly
    No FBA storage fees or fulfillment charges means you get to keep a bigger slice of the profit pie. Plus, you can store inventory in your own space—whether it’s a warehouse or your garage.
  3. Seasonal Flexibility
    If your sales spike only during certain times (hello, holiday season!), FBM can save you from paying for FBA storage during slower months.
  4. Product Bundles or Multi-quantity orders
    FBM is great when you’re offering product bundles or when a customer buys more than 1 quantity of your product because you won’t be paying shipping fees for each item separately unlike with FBA.

The Cons of FBM

  1. Logistics Overload
    Shipping orders sounds simple—until you’re juggling tracking numbers, carrier delays, and customer inquiries at 10 p.m. It’s a full-time job.
  2. Prime? Think Again
    Without FBA, your products aren’t eligible for Prime, and that little badge makes a big difference to shoppers. Fewer Prime perks can mean fewer sales.
  3. Scalability Woes
    Packing and shipping one order is fine. But when sales explode, you might find yourself drowning in tape and boxes.

So, Should You Go FBM?

If you’re just starting out or have low inventory turnover, FBM is a solid, cost-effective option. But if you’re eyeing growth, FBA might be the better choice.

The moral? FBM is great if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves. Otherwise, FBA is waiting with open arms!

Got questions? Drop a comment or send me an email.

Learnings